Cheney Lobbies Against Pentagon Abuse Reform

Three Republicans on the Senate Armed Services Committee -- John McCain, Lindsey Graham, and John Warner -- are unhappy that "the Pentagon has failed to hold senior officials and military officers responsible for the abuses that took place" at Abu Ghraib and other prisons. They intend to introduce legislation that would prohibit the military from concealing prisoners from the Red Cross, ban degrading treatment of detainees, and require interrogators to use only approved techniques. All very reasonable, and so of course the Bush administration wants none of it.

In an unusual, 30-minute private meeting on Capitol Hill on Thursday night, [Vice President Dick] Cheney warned three senior Republicans on the Armed Services Committee that their legislation would interfere with the president's authority and his ability to protect Americans against terrorist attacks.

The proposed legislation could be tacked onto the $442 billion Pentagon authorization bill, which will be debated on the Senate floor next week.

Of course Cheney and Bush Inc. oppose these reforms.
If they ignored or endorsed them, it would mean that in their view, something needed to be reformed. This runs directly counter to the first commandment of Bushevism, never admit you did anything wrong, even if it leads to the death of 1600 US troops and uncounted innocent bystanders.

It's no surprise McCain is on this issue, is it? A victim of torture as a POW. I'm not a McCain fan, I actually have trouble respecting him, but on this issue he's in the right. How much in the right we'll see. Because let's remember, when push comes to shove, just like Colin Powell, McCain tends to fold into a lackey and company man.

Cheney warned three senior Republicans on the Armed Services Committee that their legislation would interfere with the president's authority and his ability to protect Americans against terrorist attacks.

Sounds more like it would interfere with our ability to sweep abuses under the rug. Is there any argument other than "We need to be free to torture the enemy," that can be offered in support of what Cheney's doing? I mean, just as a thought exercise, is this anything more than the usual mix of cynical politics and evil?

Adept, try 1782.
And Bushliar has STILL not been to a single military funeral.
That's because he supports the (perennial deployment of) the troops.
He just doesn't give a damn about their families.
"Who do these military orphans think they are? My vacations are important to national security."

Where are the rightwingers to comment on this?? Where is their defense of their Admin now? Why are they suddenly so silent? I love rightwing morals; defend what you like, conveniently forget about the rest, eh?